“Are you saying...?” Could my luck really be that good? I try to hide the smile now forming on my lips.
“That I now live on the fourth floor,” she says, blinking a few times. She’s wearing workout clothes, and has her curly hair tied away from her face. “Reid told me your apartment number,” she adds. It’s like she read my mind because I was just about to ask that question. She makes it sound like she’s going to spend her days avoiding me, but she’s here in front of me right now, so I’m not going to complain.
“You living here by yourself?” I ask slowly, hoping the answer is yes. If she’s living with a guy, I’m not going to take it so well. I may even go ‘Hulk smash’ on the bastard.
“Nah, I have a roommate. So listen,” she says, changing the subject. “I think we should be civil. Summer invited me out for a drink, and she seems really nice so I’d like to go. Only if it won’t make things weird,” she rambles, twisting her hands together. I feel like jumping for joy right now. Taiya is going to be around me pretty much every day (considering I’m going to find any excuse to bump into her), and Summer made her feel welcome, bringing her into our inner circle.
Best wing woman ever!
Summer’s going to get a lifetime supply of apple juice boxes for this one.
“I think it’s great, and I’m glad you’re gonna be around,” I say truthfully, trying to hide my excitement. I mentally picture myself fist pumping.
Her eyes narrow suspiciously. “We can try to be friends.”
“Friends,” I reply, trying to keep the venom out of my tone. “Sure,” I add, cringing with the lie. Friends is better than her jumping down my throat with her harsh words and throwing the past in my face, like she did the last time I saw her. I would say anything right now to get a second chance with her, and I’m not above playing dirty to get what I want. I’d do anything to go back in time, to be how we were. And I’m not above grovelling.
“Great,” she says, a genuine smile appearing on her face. A dimple pops up in her cheek, and my eyes are drawn to it. I f**king love that dimple. I remember when I used to lick the indentation with my tongue.
“So where are you working now?” I ask her, looking away and leaning on the wall of the building. My jeans are suddenly feeling a little tighter than they were a few minutes ago.
Her eyes brighten, and I know she must have found something she loves. Dance. She must have found a job dancing somewhere.
“I’m teaching jazz dance classes at the rec centre,” she says, smiling widely. She loves to dance, always has. She’s amazing at it too.
“I’ll bet you love that,” I say fondly, smiling down at her.
She nods her head, and shifts on her feet. “I do. I might not own my own studio yet, but at least I’m still dancing.”
Taiya’s dream ever since I can remember has been to own her own dance studio.
She glances around. “I gotta head out, but I guess I’ll see you around.”
“All right,” I say softly, watching her walk away.
“Oh and Ryan?” she suddenly calls out.
“Yeah?”
“Sign the papers,” she says, waving before she disappears. I grit my teeth at her wanting the divorce so damn badly.
I head to Reid and Summer’s, not even bothering to knock.
“Sum!” I call out, walking into the kitchen and grabbing a bottle of water. I shut the fridge with my hip, and turn to see her walk out of her room.
She flashes me a grin and holds her hand to her heart. “I think I’m in love.”
“I’d hope so,” I say dryly as I open the lid and take a long sip.
“I mean with Taiya! She’s so freaking hot,” she says, sighing dramatically.
“Don’t swoon on me,” I tell her with a small chuckle. She’s not telling me anything that I don’t already know. Taiya is one of those women who will always be beautiful, at any age. She has the sort of beauty to bring a man to his knees. Trust me; I know from experience.
“Hey bro,” Reid greets as he walks out of the bedroom. He’s bare chested and has a soft look on his face. He definitely just got laid. He leans down and kisses Summer on the forehead, like he hasn’t seen her all day, instead of a few seconds. If possible, it makes me miss Taiya even more.
“Did you see her?” he asks.
I nod, and grin. “This building. Really, what are the chances?”
Summer smirks smugly. “Yeah, I might have had something to do with that.”
Reid and I both glance at her in surprise. “What do you mean?” I ask warily, leaning back on the counter.
“I may have run into her. I introduced myself, and told her I was Reid’s girlfriend, and then mentioned that there was a gorgeous apartment available…” she trails off, wiggling her eyebrows and looking mighty pleased with herself. I shake my head at her, close the space between us and wrap my arm around her shoulder.
“I owe you,” I tell her, kissing her on top of her head.
“And I plan to collect,” she says with an evil grin. Of course she does.
“What are you two up to? Besides f**king yourselves to death that is. Ouch!” I say as Reid slaps me on the back of my head.
“Summer has classes, but I’m doing nothing. Want to bond?” he asks, uncrossing his arms. He kisses Summer on the mouth, and we say our byes as she walks out. Reid eyes her ass as she departs, clearly enjoying the view. I wonder if they’re still in their honeymoon stage or if they are going to be like this forever. For some reason, I’d go with the latter.